Contacts for those Working for Women and Health Care Reform
NOTE: Click on the names below for further background and contact information. Please contact us with any updated information.
Congressional Leaders for Women and Health Care Reform
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Representative Lois Capps (D-CA)
Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Academics and Experts on Women’s Health
Wendy Chavkin, Professor, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Sara Rosenbaum, Chair, Department of Health Policy, The George Washington University
Susan Wood, Executive Director, Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, The George Washington University
Vanessa Northington Gamble, University Professor of Medical Humanities, The George Washington University
Judith Jones, Clinical Professor Emerita, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Douglas Laube, M.D., M.Ed., Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin
Philip Lee, M.D., Senior Scholar, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
Herbert Peterson, M.D., Chair, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina
Groups with Activities or Statements Supporting Women and Health Care Reform
AAUW
AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
American Medical Women’s Association
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Center For Reproductive Rights
Childbirth Connection
Feminist Majority Foundation
Guttmacher Institute
Ibis Reproductive Health
MomsRising.org
Moving Forward
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Association of Women Business Owners
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Women’s Organizations
National Organization for Women
National Partnership for Women and Families
National Women’s Health Network
National Women’s Law Center
Our Bodies Ourselves
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Raising Women’s Voices
Service Employees International Union
Women’s Media Center
Women’s Voices, Women Vote
Womenstake
Congressional Leaders for Women and Health Care Reform
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is a strong proponent of women’s health and a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). Mikulski offered, and the Senate HELP Committee approved, the Women’s Health Amendment, among others, to ensure that health care plans cover preventive care and screenings, such as breast cancer screening, prenatal care, and an annual “well-woman” doctor’s exam, as well as cover services offered at community-based centers such as community health centers and women’s health centers. Contact.
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) serves on the Senate Finance Committee Health Care Subcommittee. She is co-author of the Health Care for Women Act, a resolution that was included in the economic stimulus bill in February 2009 and laid out the frame for considering women’s health and women’s reproductive health care as part of essential health care coverage. Contact.
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is a senior member of the Senate HELP committee and as author of the wellness and prevention title of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, has championed preserving wellness and prevention as a central element of health insurance reform. Contact:
Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) is the Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She is a longtime champion of women’s health care issues and co-author of the Health Care for Women Act. Contact.
Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is author of an amendment to the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, which passed in committee, to enact critical health insurance reforms to stop insurance companies from refusing coverage based on consumers’ pre-existing medical conditions such as pregnancy. It also ends “gender rating” practices that charge women higher premiums on health insurance. Contact:
Representative Diana DeGette(D-CO) is a member of the House Leadership and serves as Chief Deputy Whip. She is also vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. She is a co-sponsor of the Prevention First, comprehensive, bi-partisan legislation to reducing unintended pregnancies and providing for comprehensive reproductive health services. Contact.
Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) is the Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee and is the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. She is a co-sponsor of the Prevention First, comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to reducing unintended pregnancies and providing for comprehensive reproductive health services. Contact
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is the Chairwoman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), a bicameral committee that released a comprehensive report, Comprehensive Health Reform: An Essential Prescription for Women, in August chronicling the impact of the recession on women and health care, outlining the vulnerability created by women’s dependence on their spouses’ employer-sponsored health insurance, the unique risk of un-insurance for younger and older women, and the spike in newly uninsured children of unemployed single mothers. Contact.
Representative Rosa Delauro (D-CT) sits on the influential House Appropriations and Budget Committees. She is a longtime champion of women’s health care issues and sponsor of the Informed Consumer Choices in Healthcare Act, which would improve transparency and accountability in the health insurance market so that women and families know what’s really covered. Contact.
Academics and Experts on Women’s Health
Wendy Chavkin, M.D., Professor of Public Health and Obstetrics-Gynecology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Contact: 212.304.5220. e-mail: wc9@columbia.edu.
Co-author of the report Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care. Dr. Chavkin is a founder of Physicians for Reproductive Health and of Global Doctors for Choice, and was Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association. For more information on Dr. Chavkin, click here.
Sara Rosenbaum, Chair, Department of Health Policy, Professor of Health Law and Policy, Professor of Health Care Sciences, The George Washington University. Contact: 202.994.4230, e-mail: sarar@gwu.edu.
Co-author of the Columbia University report Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care and The George Washington University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Economic Burden of Disease in Women report. She also served as a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Clinton, where she directed the drafting of the Health Security Act and oversaw the development of the Vaccines for Children program. For more information on Professor Rosenbaum, click here.
Susan Wood, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Health Policy and of Environmental and Occupational Health, Executive Director of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, The George Washington University.
Contact: 202.994.4171, e-mail:eohsfw@gwumc.edu.
Co-author of The George Washington University report, Women’s Health and Health Care Reform:The Economic Burden of Disease in Women. She previously was Assistant Commissioner of Women’s Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and served as Director for Policy and Program Development at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Prior to joining DHHS, Dr. Wood was Science Advisor and then Deputy Director of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. For more information on Dr. Wood, click here.
Vanessa Northington Gamble M.D., Ph.D., University Professor of Medical Humanities, The George Washington University. Contact: 202.994.0978, e-mail: vngamble@gwu.edu.
Contributed to the Columbia University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Health Care report. She is a health policy and medical education consultant, as well as a medical historian at The George Washington University. For more information on Dr. Gamble, click here.
Judith Jones, Special Lecturer and Clinical Professor Emerita of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. Contact: 212.305.8120, e-mail: jej3@columbia.edu.
Contributed to the Columbia University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Health Care report, and has appeared as an expert witness before Congressional committees. Professor Jones also serves on numerous boards and advisory committees focused on improving the well-being of families and young children. For more information on Judith Jones, click here.
Douglas Laube, M.D., M.Ed., Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin. Contact: 608.287.2494, e-mail: dwlaube@wisc.edu.
Contributed to the Columbia University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Health Care report, and has served as the President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For more information on Dr. Laube, click here.
Philip Lee, M.D., Senior Scholar, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies Medical School, University of California at San Francisco.
Contributed to the Columbia University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Health Care report, and is one of the nation’s foremost authorities in the study of equal access to health care. He served as the first U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and Scientific Affairs, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Contact: Stephanie Belger, phone: 415.476.1279, e-mail: belgers@medsch.ucsf.edu. For more information on Dr. Lee, click here.
Herbert Peterson, M.D., Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecolog, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Distinguished Professor and Chair, Gillings School of Global Public Health. Contact: 919.966.5981, e-mail: herbert_peterson@unc.edu.
Contributed to the Columbia University Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Health Care report, and is known nationally and internationally for his work in women’s reproductive health, epidemiology, health policy, and evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Peterson is also a fellow at the Cecil B. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC. For more information on Dr. Peterson, click here.
Groups with Activities or Statements Supporting Women and Health Care Reform
AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) website offers a statement in support of health care reform and insight into the unique set of challenges women face trying to get health care. Contact: Lisa Goodnight, Media Relations, phone: 202.785.7738, e-mail: goodnightl@aauw.org. For more information, click here.
AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations website includes first-person accounts of what can happen when women are denied health care insurance.
Contact: Alison Omens, Media Outreach, phone: 202.637.5018, e-mail: aomens@aflcio.org. For a link to AFL-CIO’s blog, click here.
American Medical Women’s Association has a statement on the priority of ensuring that the needs of women patients are met under health care reform. Contact: 215.320.3716, e-mail: info@amwa.doc.org. For more information, click here.
Black Women’s Health Imperative Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative, speaks to the disparities that exist for black women throughout the current health care system and the urgent need for health care reform. Contact: Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, phone: 202.548.4000, e-mail: ehintonhoytt@blackwomenshealth.org. For more information, click here.
Center for Reproductive Rights uses the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect and fulfill. The Center has been calling on the President and Congress for more forthright dialogue and vocal leadership on women’s health needs in the healthcare reform debate. Contact: Media Relations, 917.637.3649. For more information, click here.
Childbirth Connection’s Maureen Corry, Executive Director of Childbirth Connection is an expert on maternal issues addressed in current health care reform legislation. Contact: Kat Song, Director of Public Affairs, phone: 212.777.5000, ext. 8, e-mail: katsong@childbirthconnection.org. For more information, click here.
Feminist Majority (FMF) is a cutting edge organization dedicated to women’s equality, reproductive health and nonviolence. FMF advocates for bold, new strategies and programs to advance women’s equality, non-violence, economic development, and most importantly, empowerment of women and girls in all sectors of society. In all spheres, FMF utilizes research and action to empower women economically, socially and politically. Contact: Beth Soderberg, Media Coordinator, phone: 703.522.2214, e-mail: bsoderberg@feminist.org. For more information, click here.
Guttmacher Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis, and public education. They are dedicated to independent research to improve women’s comprehensive health. Contact: 202.296.4012. For more information, click here.
Ibis Reproductive Health aims to improve women’s reproductive autonomy, choices, and health worldwide by conducting original clinical and social science research, leveraging existing research, producing educational resources, and promoting policies and practices that support sexual and reproductive rights and health. Current research projects include one report that looks at low-income women’s access to contraception after health care reform in Massachusetts. Contact: Amanda Dennis, phone: 617.349.0040, e-mail: adennis@ibisreproductivehealth.org.
MomsRising.org offers grassroots spokespersons that are organizing rallies in support of women and health care and participating in advocacy meetings with members of Congress. Contact: Lisa Lederer, phone: 202.371.1999. For more information, click here.
Moving Forward is a project of the Women Donors Network and the Communications Consortium Media Center. It is a research-based initiative to develop a messaging and communications strategy that can win policy debates and deepen public understanding on reproductive and other health issues including health care reform. Contact: Kathy Bonk, phone: 202.326.8700, e-mail: info@ccmc.org. For more information, click here.
NARAL Pro-Choice America advocates for women’s sexual health services and education. They are dedicated to ensuring that women’s health is treated as a priority in health care reform. Contact: Media Relations, phone: 202.973.3032. For more information, click here.
National Association of Women Business Owners has released a public policy survey on cost and availability of health insurance for members and their employees. Contact: e-mail: media@nawbo.org. For more information, click here.
National Council of Jewish Women provides facts and commentary for reporters on the importance of women’s care in health care reform. Contact: Elissa Froman, Legislative Associate, phone: 202.296.2588 ext. 3, e-mail: Elissa@ncjwdc.org. For more information, click here.
National Council of Women’s Organizations represents 12 million women and 215 organizations across the country. Contact: Susan Scanlon, phone: 202.293.4505. For their statement on women and health care reform and more information, click here.
National Organization for Women (NOW) is an overall champion for women on health care. Contact: Mai Shiozaki, Press Secretary, phone: 202.628.8669, ext. 116, e-mail: press@now.org. For more information, click here.
National Partnership for Women and Families affords access to vocal advocates in support of women’s health and health care reform. Contact: Jen Aulwes, Communications Manager, phone: 202.986.2600, e-mail: jaulwes@nationalpartnership.org. For more information, click here.
National Women’s Health Network has been advocating for health care reform and women’s care since 1975, NWHN provides research information and commentary. Contact: Amy Allina, Program and Policy Director, phone: 202.682.2640, e-mail: aallina@nwhn.org. For more information, click here.
National Women’s Law Center has develop a comprehensive campaign around women and health care including a series of fact sheets, independent polling, action kits and more. New opinion research by the National Women’s Law Center shows broad public support for reproductive health coverage in health care reform. Contact, Andrea Maruniak, Press Contact: 202.319.3054, e-mail: reformmatters@nwlc.org. For more information women click here.
Our Bodies Ourselves has published Seven Reasons Why Health Care is a Woman’s Issue. Contact: Wendy Brovold, Communications and Marketing Manager, phone: 617.245.0200, e-mail: Wendy@bwhbc.org. For more information, click here.
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health is a physician-led advocacy and education organization that promotes and advances reproductive health care for everyone. Our position statement on reproductive health within health care reform is available here. For more information, contact Communications Manager Amanda Davis at amanda@prch.org or 646.649.9927.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a community provider of reproductive health care with skilled health care professionals dedicated to offering men, women, and teens high-quality, affordable medical care. One in four American women has chosen Planned Parenthood for health care at least once in her life. PPFA has been a leading advocate for comprehensive women’s health services in health care reform. Contact: Tait Sye, Press Office, phone: 202.973.4840, e-mail: tait.sye@ppfa.org. For more information, click here.
Raising Women’s Voices Leading American health care activists are creating a new grassroots organization focused on efforts to support women’s health and pass health care reform. Contact: Lois Uttley, Co-founder, e-mail: lois@mergerwatch.org. For more information, click here.
The Service Employees International Union of 1.8 million service workers strongly pushes for health care reform. Contact: 202.730.7162, e-mail: media@seiu.org. To see a union member’s firsthand account of the devastating effect of women losing health care coverage and for more information, click here.
Women’s Media Center posts videos and news stories of the most important issues to women including health care. They are committed to debunking health care myths. Contact: Tristin Aaron, Media Director 212.563.0680, ext.103, e-mail: tristin@womensmediacenter.com. To read a commentary and find experts on women and health care reform, click here.
Women’s Voices, Women Vote has a special interest and expertise on the health care needs of unmarried women. Contact: Women’s Voices Women Vote, phone: 202.659.9570, e-mail: info@wvwv.org. For more information, click here.
Womenstake is the blog for the National Women’s Law Center, providing facts and commentary on the importance of women’s health care in health care reform. Contact: Jill Morrison, e-mail: action@nwlc.org. For more information, click here.
I sent the following email to Mr. Eric Cantor, I hope he gets it, but maybe your organization can make sure others trying to trample on women’s rights get it as well, thanks for all you do!
Dear Mr. Cantor,
Below you will find 7 reasons birth control is used. I have personally been prescribed birth control due to Amenorrhea (Inability to have regular menstrual cycles, which causes a host of issues and makes it difficult to conceive). I am now pregnant with my first child with my HUSBAND, not a boyfriend or some college fling. You’ve probably never even heard of Amenorrhea, maybe you also think the best form of birth control is an aspirin between the knees, which is another perspective that puts all responsibility on women. I guess men don’t have to keep their zippers up, women just need to keep their knees closed?
Maybe men should have to go through some type of exam before having a Vasectomy, I mean why should they be able to just up and decide they no longer want children? Better yet, perhaps no drugs for Erectile Dysfunction should be covered by Health Insurance, when you think about it an erection is not a medical necessity right? One step further, perhaps men who rape women or commit incest and get their victims pregnant should be automatically castrated, at least this way the humiliation is shared with the woman or girl who decides she doesn’t want to raise her rapist’s or her father’s baby? If you’re going to get into it, why not cover all bases?
I am going to be a mother for the first time, I am married, and I will likely use birth control after we have our daughter until we are ready to take on the financial responsibility of a 2nd child, these are decisions RESPONSIBLE parents and adults make. By the way, my Husband and I are both Christians.
This attack on women and meaningless rhetoric on birth control is and will continue to damage your party. Maybe it’s time to take a hint and get real about contraceptives and how little you know about their uses and necessity. Here’s a start, educate yourself:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): is a hormonal imbalance which causes irregular menstrual periods, acne, and excess hair growth. Birth control pills work by lowering certain hormone levels to regulate menstrual periods. When hormone levels are decreased to normal, acne and hair growth often improve.
Endometriosis: Most girls with endometriosis have cramps or pelvic pain during their menstrual cycle. Birth control pills are often prescribed to treat endometriosis and work by temporarily preventing periods. When hormonal treatment is prescribed continuously, young women will rarely have periods, or not at all. Since periods can cause pain for young women with endometriosis, stopping periods will usually improve cramps and pelvic pain.
Lack of periods (“Amenorrhea”) from low weight, stress, excessive exercise, or damage to the ovaries from radiation or chemotherapy: With any of these conditions, the hormone “estrogen” is not made in normal amounts by the body. Birth control pills may be prescribed to replace estrogen, which helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. For girls whose menstrual periods are irregular (too few – or not at all), birth control pills can help to regulate the menstrual cycle to every 28 days and provide the body with normal amounts of estrogen. Normal estrogen levels are important for healthy bones.
Menstrual Cramps: When over-the-counter medications don’t help with severe cramps, birth control pills may be the solution because they prevent ovulation and lighten periods.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, breast soreness, and bloating, along with acne can occur up to 2 weeks before a young women’s period. Birth control pills may be prescribed to stop ovulation and keep hormone levels balanced. Symptoms may improve, particularly when oral contraceptive pills are prescribed continuously.
Heavy Menstrual Periods: Birth control pills can reduce the amount and length of menstrual bleeding.
Acne: For moderate to severe acne, which over-the-counter and prescription medications haven’t cured, birth control pills may be prescribed.
I hope you feel enlightened.
Sincerely,
Desimber Rose Wattleton